Charting the post-Covid church conference boom
Since the end of lockdowns in 2021, the Christian Conference Trust (CCT) has seen demand for its facilities skyrocket – attracting new groups from predominantly black-majority congregations as well as those from Brazilian, Chinese, Korean and traditional churches.
CCT’s Mark Rowe told CRE News: ‘After a two-year hunt for a suitable third venue, we opened the doors at Highgate House in Northamptonshire last June. What was once a coaching inn is now a 200-delegate retreat centre.’
Meanwhile, High Leigh, a retreat venue in the heart of rural Hertfordshire, is embarking on an exciting new chapter with the construction of a new state-of-the-art meeting hall.
‘In response to increasing demand, more than £2 million is being invested in a new, 320-seater meeting hall, set to replace Yew Tree Hall,’ explained CCT’s chief executive officer John Heasman. ‘This will allow the centre to host larger groups, fulfilling its mission to provide exceptional spaces for Christian gatherings.
‘With cutting-edge AV, soundproof dividers to create two smaller halls (seating 200 and 100) and eco-friendly features including solar panels, rainwater harvesting and air-source heat pumps, the hall is designed to meet the needs of guests in the next season of Christian conferencing while caring for God’s creation.’
While construction is underway, the fully-equipped Garden Suite will serve as a replacement meeting space for Yew Tree during 2025, ensuring High Leigh continues to welcome guests without interruption. The new hall is scheduled to open by January 2026, with the old Yew Tree Hall being transformed into a welcoming foyer and breakout area.
‘This exciting project marks a significant milestone for High Leigh,’ said John. ‘Thanks to the generosity of a Christian benefactor, we can meet the growing needs of our groups, providing them with a modern and sustainable space to gather, worship and grow in faith.’
- The Christian Conference Trust are on stand B3 at CRE 25
CRE 2025
Book your ticket to CRE 25!
To book a stand at CRE 25, contact:
James Batterbee
T: 0161 240 4500
E: james@creonline.co.uk
Margaret Wylie: socking it to us for 25 years
When Margaret Wyllie started a course with the Scottish Churches Open College, she thought she was heading for a pulpit and a dog collar. Instead, she started designing socks.
‘One of the recommended books was Gerard W. Hughes’ God of Surprises,’ she told CRE News. ‘God has surprised me so many times in the past 25 years since we sold our first pair of Holy Socks. The whole idea was surprising to begin with Hand then came the further surprise of the original story leaflets that accompany them. I’m never quite sure how the stories are going to start or finish.’
Holy Socks, which illustrate biblical verses, characters and themes, have been to the top of Kilimanjaro, cycled in the Arctic Circle, walked in New Zealand, Australia and along the Great Wall of China – to name just a few.
‘Unless our customers tell us, we don’t know where or on whose feet, our socks end up. It’s quite intriguing really,’ said Margaret. ‘It’s been so interesting meeting people and hearing who they’ve bought the socks for and getting the reaction of folk who’ve been given them as a gift.’
Margaret, from Newton Stewart in Scotland, is currently awaiting delivery of a redesigned Pharaoh’s Cows sock.
‘This was our first “not a pair of socks” design – seven well-favoured cows on one and seven ill-favoured cows on the other,’ she said. ‘We’ve had many in that style since. Our sheep and goats design features sheep on one sock and goats on the other (pictured) – with advice as to which animal to wear on which foot, of course.’
To celebrate their 25th year, Margaret has plans for a really special new offering which will be available in time for CRE 25.
‘It was a real surprise to me and promises to have a really unexpected story,’ she said. ‘News of that later in the year.’
• Holy Socks are on stand H6 at CRE 25
CRE 2025
Book your ticket to CRE 25!
To book a stand at CRE 25, contact:
James Batterbee
T: 0161 240 4500
E: james@creonline.co.uk
New video series speaks where church is silent
A man whose life was on the rocks from addiction to pornography will launch The Road to Grace video series at CRE 25.
‘In spite of spending years in church, reading my Bible and praying, God showed me I’d never gone after him,’ said Mike Genung. ‘I’d sought women, ministry success, money, Bible knowledge – but not the Lord himself.’
A radical change in lifestyle not only saved his marriage but led him on a mission to help men and women similarly addicted, with the formation of the charity Blazing Grace, exhibitors at CRE 25.
‘Surveys show that two-thirds of Christian men view porn, and those are just the honest ones,’ he said. ‘Many Christian women struggle with this, too – the fastest-growing segment when it comes to viewing pornography.’
The Road to Grace video series features six sessions which can be for personal use, presented in churches or used within study groups. The sessions feature:
- Mike’s own story
- The physical, emotional and spiritual effects of pornography on a man and his wife
- Action steps for men for recovery and healing
- The road to healing for the man’s wife and marriage
- Spiritual warfare and breaking the power of lies
- Youth and the Church
The videos were produced in the UK by Monkeynut Studios – a fellow exhibitor at CRE – and are introduced by British singer and actress Deryn Edwards.
An author of six books, Mike said: ‘Over the years “I have no one to talk to” are often the first words from those who come to us at Blazing Grace. Many don’t have a prayer life. Some don’t even know how to pray. Many have been wounded or spiritually abused by their churches and complain that church leaders avoid difficult issues.’
Mike’s books will also be available at CRE 25 and he will be available to talk to anyone who is either struggling with issues relating to pornography or knows someone else who facing similar problems.
• Blazing Grace are on stand K5 at CRE 25
CRE 2025
Book your ticket to CRE 25!
To book a stand at CRE 25, contact:
James Batterbee
T: 0161 240 4500
E: james@creonline.co.uk
Journeying from loss to faith and hope
Churches across the UK are witnessing a remarkable mission impact through a programme supporting grieving adults.
The Bereavement Journey® is a series of seven sessions of films and peer group discussion for churches to offer to bereaved people. Originally developed by counsellor Jane Oundjian MBE, the programme is now provided by the charity AtaLoss, exhibitors at CRE 25. Under the leadership of Revd Canon Yvonne Tulloch, the course has been running in a revised form since 2023 – with significant results.
While the first six sessions are without faith content, the seventh and final, optional for participants, gives a Christian response to faith questions arising in bereavement. It has been developed by Yvonne. An integral part of the training is the ‘Bereavement Friendly Church’ webinar helping church leaders understand the need and opportunity for bereavement support and the particular challenges associated with bereavement and the Church.
Since its publication in September 2023, The Bereavement Journey has spread to more than 400 locations across the UK and a recent analysis reveals considerable reach beyond church congregations.
- 89 per cent of course leaders report welcoming participants with no previous church connection
- 39 per cent of all participants are coming from outside church circles
- 80 per cent of participants are choosing to attend the optional final session on faith – rising to 83 per cent for courses involving participants with no prior church connection
‘Many years ago, I felt God call me to a new form of mission and I believe this is it,’ said Yvonne. ‘Much like the Alpha Course, we knew we had to prescribe the programme’s delivery and since then, we’ve heard nothing but good reports. It’s very humbling to see the Holy Spirit at work.’
• Ataloss will be on stand E8 at CRE25
CRE 2025
Book your ticket to CRE 25!
To book a stand at CRE 25, contact:
James Batterbee
T: 0161 240 4500
E: james@creonline.co.uk
Nord to take centre stage at CRE 25
In the 1960s, the acoustic guitar became the new worship ‘accessory’ – in the past 10 years it’s been joined by a distinctive red keyboard. For the first time, the keyboard’s makers, Nord, will be exhibiting at CRE 25 and musician Matt Cossey (above) explains why the keyboard has become so popular in churches throughout the UK
The sound – let’s start with an obvious point – they sound great. But what’s different about a Nord over many other keyboards is that their piano samples capture the nuance of acoustic instruments so well. Nords are also known for having some of the best sounding electric pianos, great pads and, many would agree, the most authentic organ recreations on the market.
The ability to ‘flow’ – as a Christian musician, I often find myself in a worship setting where my goal is not to simply play a part, but rather respond to what the Spirit is doing. I love this context, where I need to listen to what is going on, listen to God, and play something appropriate that can accompany how the Spirit is moving. Enter the Nord… Whilst the seemingly infinite knobs and dials might initially induce mild panic, there is a reason for this apparent complexity. The truth is, Nords are actually incredibly intuitive and easy to use once you understand them, because everything is accessible.
A desire for excellence – lastly, I think the increasing abundance of red keyboards in churches is indicative of a desire for excellence. When I talk to church leaders and musicians, I so often hear the same heart for ‘something greater’ in worship. I get a sense of unrest and an unwillingness to settle. The Nord has come to represent a sound and a standard that so many aspire to.
There is a lot more that could be said on this topic, but if a bright red keyboard can play even a small part in helping the churches achieve this, they are worth every penny.
Matt Cossey is an active performer, composer, Nord Keyboards artist and keyboardist for disco icon Gloria Gaynor
CRE 24: ‘You just don’t know what’s going to come from a face-to-face conversation’
By 4pm on the first day of CRE 24 at the Marshall Arena in Milton Keynes, exhibitors Chris and Kim Dunphy had already had so many helpful and detailed conversations with visitors that they were ‘completely talked out’.
Chris, founder of ChurchEcoMiser, will now make several site visits to churches over the next few months – introducing them to the company’s eco-friendly heating system. Over the past few exhibitions Chris and Kim have distributed more than 1,000 free tree saplings to CRE visitors. In spite of two long days interacting with hundreds of visitors, they, along with more than 60 other organisations, have already booked their stand at CRE 25 (15-16 Oct, Sandown Park, Esher, Surrey).
Margaret Wylie was equally busy at Holy Socks. ‘Working from home or an office is fine, but it’s good to get out and actually meet people face to face,’ she said. ‘You just don’t know what’s going to come from a face-to-face conversation.’
CRE 24 was the first-ever at the Marshall Arena. More than 150 organisations were represented on the exhibition floor and total attendance over two days was 1,786, comprising 1,446 visitors and 340 exhibitors – almost identical to CRE 23 in Solihull.
‘Once again we sent out the 60-page exhibition handbook free to thousands of former visitors and new contacts, several weeks before the event,’ said CRE owner Steve Goddard. ‘It meant they came fully informed and ready to do business.’
Modernising churches was a theme picked up by ITV News, who filmed the exhibition in full flow and broadcast a report in a prime spot on the first evening of the show. The BBC also published a piece on their regional website.
But CRE wasn’t just about ‘holy hardware’. Two days of worship and discussion about worship were led by popular worship leaders and songwriters Lou and Nathan Fellingham, Lucy Grimble, Roger Jones and Devon Brown.
‘We have presented hints and tips on the practical way of writing from the heart,’ said Lou. ‘It would be great if those who attended the sessions are released to use the gift that God has called them to exercise.’ Nathan, 47, who wrote the popular song Lift up His Name when he was just 17, added: ‘There will always be a need for more songs and hymns and we hope many will be inspired to craft them.’
For two visitors in every five, this was the first CRE they had ever attended. One of them was Ellen Andrews, a children and family worker at Biggleswade Baptist Church. ‘The song-writing workshop looked interesting,’ she said. ‘I have not thought of writing a song before, but it has inspired me to think more about doing so.’
A series of more than 40 talks and presentations covered fundraising, faith sharing, bereavement support, social media, church security – and much, much more.
The exhibition was opened by Daniel Cutting, 10 times Guinness football freestyle world champion. Also a youth leader in his local church, Daniel declared the exhibition open while bouncing a football on his head, knee, foot and arms.
‘I was surprised at the amazing range of subjects and equipment covered at this event,’ he said. ‘The friendliness of stand holders and visitors was wonderful.’
There were a number of new exhibitors, including Liverpool-based Nick Radcliffe, who gave up his practice as a GP to produce eye-catching Christian posters.
‘This is the first time I have had a stand at an exhibition, but it has fully justified my decision to give up being a doctor,’ he said. ‘I have had so many conversations and sold a good number of posters.’
The Rev Simon Faulks, a 56-year-old Anglican priest in Bletchley, was also enthusiastic about the number of people interested in his workshops on storytelling and circus illusions. ‘I have chatted to lots of people and was delighted to be here,’ he said.
The event returns to Sandown Park in Esher, Surrey (15-16 Oct) where it will celebrate 40 years as the UK’s biggest and longest-running exhibition of resources for churches.
CRE 2025
Book your ticket to CRE 25!
To book a stand at CRE 25, contact:
James Batterbee
T: 0161 240 4500
E: james@creonline.co.uk
BySimon
Worship Cafe @ CRE 24
Enjoy two days of worship and free-ranging discussions on the subject at CRE 24, led by a range of gifted musicians, singers and songwriters.
Wednesday 9 October
11.30am
Worship Wednesday
Led by Lou and Nathan Fellingham
See below for an introduction to the worship programme at CRE 24 from Lou
12.30pm
Praise of future past
Lou and Nathan Fellingham interviewed by Roger Jones, looking at seasons, legacy, history and the future of worship in the local church
See below for an introduction from Roger Jones
2.00pm
Unlocking the power of support
Helen Richards, Ecclesiastical
Read an introduction to this presentation
2.30pm
Psalms, hymns and spiritual songs
Roger Jones and Devon Brown look at ways we can achieve a biblical balance in our worship
3.30pm
Open churches: balancing safety and security
Heather Ford, Ecclesiastical
Read an introduction to this presentation
Thursday 10 October
11.00am
Greening your mission
Helen Gray and Chris Pitt, Ecclesiastical
Read an introduction to this presentation
11.30am
Sung worship and songwriting workshop
Lucy Grimble, Roger Jones, Devon Brown, Lou and Nathan Fellingham
See below for an introduction from Lucy Grimble
1.30pm
Church insurance support made easy
Heather Ford, Ecclesiastical
Read an introduction to this presentation
2.00pm
From morning song to Mamma Mia: using musicals in mission and evangelism
Roger Jones and Devon Brown
Read an introductory article on this session
Main image by Vince Fleming
Safeguarding Sunday: ‘Let’s be open about what we’ve got wrong’
Churches will be encouraged to be more transparent about their safeguarding practices as part of next month’s Safeguarding Sunday (17 Nov).
Promoted by independent Christian safeguarding charity Thirtyone:eight, who are exhibiting at CRE 24, churches will reflect on where they may have got things wrong in the past, think about how they are supporting those who have been hurt or harmed and highlight and celebrate all the good work that is being done behind the scenes to protect vulnerable people.
Peter Wright, Thirtyone:eight’s head of communications and campaign lead, said: ‘It’s time to have open and honest conversations about what we’ve got wrong and what we’re getting right. It’s a chance to listen and talk together about how we can effectively prevent abuse and create a Church where everyone can feel and be safe.”
To take part Churches can register for a free digital resource pack at safeguardingsunday.org which makes running a service easy, including, prayers, sermon notes, activity ideas, children’s resources and loads more.
Thirtyone:eight’s safeguarding accreditation scheme, to enable churches to raise safety standards, will also be a focus on the Thirtyone:eight stand at CRE 24. The first-of-its-kind, the scheme enables UK-based churches, charities and organisations to independently verify and demonstrate their commitment to creating safer places for all.
Leigh McFarlane, public policy and research manager for Thirtyone:eight, said: ‘With more than 168,000 registered charities in England and Wales, and over 28,000 in Scotland, the need to demonstrate compliance and a commitment to safer practice is vital so that those who engage with them can have full confidence that they will be properly protected from harm or abuse.’
• Thirtyone:eight are on stand B19 at CRE 24
CRE 2025
Book your ticket to CRE 25!
To book a stand at CRE 25, contact:
James Batterbee
T: 0161 240 4500
E: james@creonline.co.uk
Why unity does not have to mean uniformity
Currently celebrating its 40th year, the Open Bible Trust is promoting one of its most important books at next week’s CRE 24 – Unity in Christ.
Written by W M Henry and Michael Penny, one reviewer stated: ‘If a Scottish Baptist and a Welsh Salvationist can work together on a book about Christian unity, and allow an Anglican to design the cover, there is hope for the church!’
The first part of the book, written by Henry, majors on ‘oneness’, and Jesus’ prayer for his disciples ‘that they may be one as we are one’ (John 17:11). He also describes various pictures of ‘oneness’ given by the Lord. The word ‘unity’ only occurs twice in the Bible, both in Ephesians. The first, ‘The unity of the Spirit’ (Ephesians 4:3) is a God-given, God-created unity which Christians are told to keep or guard. The basis of this unity is that when we believe the gospel of salvation, we are sealed with the Spirit (Ephesians 1:13-14).
Michael, who has been chair of Churches Together in Reading for 14 years, said: ‘I am a great believer in unity, but not uniformity. People like different types of Christians music, different postures for prayer, different translations of the Bible. However, these differences are not deficiencies. They add to the rich diversity there is in Christianity. If we believe that Jesus is our Saviour, he binds us together and we are one in the Spirit. If we can love one another as he loves us, that may be the answer to his prayer that ‘they may be one as we are one.”’
Michael was one of a team of eight which launched the Open Bible Trust and was its first administrator and editor before moving to America in 1991 to pastor a church. He returned to the UK in 1999 and in 2007 took up the reigns of administrator and editor of the mission again.
He will speak at CRE 24 on ‘The good, the better and the best from the book of Ecclesiastes’ (12.30pm, Thu 10 Oct). More here.
• The Open Bible Trust are on stand A21 at CRE 24
Main photo: Open Bible Trust will promote their book Unity in Christ at CRE 24
CRE 2025
Book your ticket to CRE 25!
To book a stand at CRE 25, contact:
James Batterbee
T: 0161 240 4500
E: james@creonline.co.uk
From morning song to Mamma Mia: deep dive into the church and music at CRE 24
Music in churches has always been a contentious issue – should it be a ‘one style must fit all’ or are there ways of incorporating multiple cultures and tastes?
Seasoned musical composer and worship leader Roger Jones will cover the vexed question at CRE 24, alongside colleague Devon Brown, in Psalms, Hymns and Spiritual songs (2.30pm, Wed 9 Oct).
‘We’ll look at biblical quotes and principles and illustrate it all in various styles, asking what essentials must be maintained or aimed at,’ said Roger. ‘People grow by what they sing, so how can we ensure they receive a healthy diet?’
He will also look at how different styles can be integrated into a typical Sunday morning service.
On Thursday (2pm), Roger and Devon will turn their attention from morning song to Mamma Mia – and the use of musicals in mission and evangelism.
‘Musicals with a biblical theme can be a major tool for reaching people with the Gospel, as well as an effective in-reach for the church community,’ said Roger, who has written 25 in his career, the latest on the story of Zacchaeus. He will look at what constitutes a classic musical and how the genre has developed over the years.
‘I’ll also cover what may be achieved through staging a musical and who can be involved, with a special reference to the final message,’ he said. ‘Should we leave the musical to speak for itself, make an appeal – or finish with a spoken message?’
Main photo: Mamma Mia: the musical
CRE 2025
Book your ticket to CRE 25!
To book a stand at CRE 25, contact:
James Batterbee
T: 0161 240 4500
E: james@creonline.co.uk